Date and Time: December 7 and 8, 2021
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will hold a virtual launch of three publications on December 7 and 8, 2021 on the sidelines of the 2nd Session of the Committee on Private Sector Development, Regional Integration, Trade, Infrastructure, Industry and Technology.
The first two publications - the 10th edition of the biennial Report on “Assessing Regional Integration in Africa,” dubbed ARIA X and the non-recurrent report titled “Governing the interface between the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs)” will be launched on December 7. The third report, entitled “Towards a Common Investment Area in the African Continental Free Trade Area: Leveling the Playing Field for Intra-African Investment” will be launched on December 8.
As a member of the media fraternity, you are invited to participate in this virtual launch which will provide an opportunity to cover and clarify the AfCFTA agenda for the general public.
Among the topics to be discussed are:
- The growing importance of the services sector on the continent amidst the challenges that the sector continues to face
- Consolidating the myriad of African trade liberalization frameworks into a viable continent-wide regime
- The roles played by Africa’s regional economic communities (RECs) to advance the continent’s integration processes
- Analysing the key issues concerning the interface between the AfCFTA and REC free-trade areas
- The development of value chains and building of both public and private sector capacities as part of trade liberalization
Please be reminded that the virtual launch event will take place on December 7 and 8, 2021.
- Topic: Virtual Launch of 10th Edition of ARIA & Report on “Governing the interface between the AfCFTA and RECs
Time: Dec 7, 2021 01:00 PM Nairobi
Join Zoom Meeting:https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89014571509?pwd=eXAzeUpwekJDZmppcFpiMktxOFFlQT09
Passcode: 831092
- Topic: Towards a Common Investment Area in the African Continental Free Trade Area: Leveling the Playing Field for Intra-African Investment
When: Dec 8, 2021 Time: 09:00 AM Nairobi
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82345044287?pwd=SVh3WUZnQ2xnbWp6MEZUS2E4aEtaZz09
Passcode: 626704
- Topic: Committee on Private Sector Development, Regional Integration, Trade, Infrastructure, Industry and Technology Second session, Addis Ababa
Time: Dec 9 and 10 2021 12:00 PM Nairobi
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83973819959?pwd=TjdLczJzNHVXSitjbmZuZDZqR0FmZz09
Meeting ID: 839 7381 9959
Passcode: 972015
Background
The AfCFTA entered into force on 30 May 2019 having been ratified by the required 22 countries. Currently, 54 countries have signed, and 27 countries have ratified the AfCFTA. The AfCFTA provides the opportunity for Africa to create the world's largest free trade area, with the potential to unite 1.3 billion people, in a $2.5 trillion economic bloc and usher in a new era of development. The AfCFTA has the potential to generate a range of benefits through supporting trade creation, structural transformation, productive employment and poverty reduction.
This Forum is part of a comprehensive project aimed at deepening Africa's trade integration through effective implementation of the AfCFTA. Financially supported by the European Union, ECA has been working with its partners including the African Union Commission (AUC), International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and a selection of independent trade experts to ensure effective AfCFTA implementation strategies.
For more information Contact
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org